Removable Headrest for Pilates Equipment

ABSTRACT

A method for extending the head position of a person using a Pilates Reformer with Tower to enable additional exercises. The method utilizes a headrest extension mechanism temporarily or permanently attached to the Reformer to enable the participant to move closer to the tower mechanism with their head supported beyond the tower bed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment apparatus such as the Pilates Tower, Pilates Tower Bed, the Pilates Reformer with Tower, Pilates Cadillac, and improvements to enable the support of an exercise participants head during some exercise conditions on these and other similar apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When using exercise equipment such as Pilates equipment with a tower attachment the person exercising (exercise participant) can perform a variety of exercises using the tower. (FIG. 1 ) The tower provides spring attachment points and enables the exercise participant to utilize the tower springs for resistance for certain exercises. The tower has multiple spring attachment locations to provide varying angles of resistance for a wide range of exercises.

In certain exercises with the tower springs, the exercise participant must angle their lower body to enable their feet to press the push through bar (FIG. 2 ). Tall people or people with low flexibility are often unable to get into the correct position. In these instances, the participant is unable to perform the exercise and maintain proper form.

SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to improve the Pilates Reformer with Tower to enable the exercise participant to more fully utilize the equipment for additional exercises or perform more exercises while maintaining the correct form.

The method comprises a headrest extension temporarily or permanently mounted to the existing equipment that enables the exercise participant to move their torso closer to the tower equipment, allowing the participant's head to extend past the tower bed, thereby enabling the participant to perform exercises in the correct form and perform additional exercises.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the headrest extension is mounted to the Reformer in such a way as to enable the participant to move their head past the end of the tower bed.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the headrest extension is at a height to allow the exercise participant to rest their head comfortably while their head is extended past the end of the tower bed.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the headrest is sized such that the exercise participant can move their body to the point where their entire head and neck is beyond the normal tower bed (FIG. 3 ).

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the headrest is designed such that it easily slips onto the existing reformer such that it can be installed and removed easily when changing between exercises.

IMPROVEMENTS TO STATE OF THE ART

The device described herein enables additional exercises to be performed on the Reformer with Tower by enabling the participant to move their body to the point where their head is extended past the normal end of the equipment. This position would normally cause the participant's head to be past the end of the equipment and not supported (FIG. 2 ).

The headrest is designed to easily attach to a large number of existing exercise devices from a variety of manufacturers to provide the needed head support to enable more people to perform the tower exercises in the correct form.

A preferred embodiment allows the headrest to quickly mount to the reformer without the need for tools or tightening devices. The headrest simply slips over the end of the reformer frame and is held in place by friction between the two components.

Another embodiment utilizes screw down tightening devices (compression clamps) to facilitate the headrest being quickly and easily mounted to a wider variety of exercise equipment.

Another embodiment utilizes bolts to semi-permanently attach the headrest to the existing device.

Another embodiment utilizes screws to semi-permanently attach the headrest to the existing device.

Another embodiment utilizes straps to temporarily attach the headrest to the existing device.

Another embodiment uses downward force from the tower mat to hold the headrest in place.

Another embodiment (with any of the aforementioned mounting methods) includes a hinge to enable the headrest to quickly fold out of the way when not in use without being removed from the reformer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the Pilates reformer (1) device with the tower (2) and an exercise participant lying on the reformer (1). In this view the participant is as close to the tower (2) attachment as possible in the existing available configuration.

FIG. 2 shows the exercise participant lying in a position that puts their shoulders closer to the tower attachment (2). In this position the participant's head is not supported (16) by the existing equipment.

FIG. 3 is a view with the participant in the position from FIG. 2 , but with the addition of the headrest (6) of the current invention to provide support for the participant's head.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway, side-view of the headrest (6) attachment to the Reformer (1) in the preferred embodiment where the headrest (6) slips over the end of the reformer (1) for a slip fit mounting (7) and is supported by friction due to the close tolerances between the headrest (6) and the mounting surface.

FIG. 5 is a close-up, cutaway side-view of the preferred embodiment showing the tight fit of the slip-on headrest (6) to the reformer (1) internal structure (9).

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) is attached to the reformer (1) with one or more mounting bolts (10).

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) is attached to the reformer (1) with one or more mounting screws (11).

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) is attached to the reformer (1) with screw down clamps such as compression screws (11).

FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) is attached to the reformer (1) with one or more mounting straps (13).

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) uses a force fit mounting (14) that utilizes force from the tower mat to hold the headrest in place.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) includes a hinge (15) to enable the headrest to fold down out of the way without removing the tower bed (the folding embodiment).

FIG. 12 is a side view of the folding embodiment with the headrest (6) folded down and not in use.

The foregoing disclosure and showing made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. 

1. A headrest device for enabling improved or additional exercises on an exercise apparatus by providing said headrest temporarily or permanently mounted to said apparatus where said headrest supports an exercise participants head when said participant's head would normally extend past the end of said apparatus.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of a slip fit wherein said headrest slips over said apparatus and is held in place by means of friction between said headrest and said apparatus.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more bolts.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more screws.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more screw down tightening devices such as screw clamps or compression screws.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more straps.
 7. The device of claim 1, (with any of the preceding mounting methods) wherein said headrest has a hinge to allow said headrest to be lifted and locked in place when in use and lowered out of the way when not in use.
 8. A method of enabling improved or additional exercises on an exercise apparatus by providing a headrest temporarily or permanently mounted to said apparatus where said headrest supports an exercise participant's head when said participant's head would normally extend past the end of said apparatus.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of a friction fit wherein said headrest slips over said apparatus and is held in place by means of friction between said headrest and said apparatus.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more bolts.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more screws.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more screw down tightening devices such as screw clamps or compression screws.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more straps.
 14. The method of claim 8, (with any of the preceding mounting methods) wherein said headrest has a hinge to allow said headrest to be lifted and locked in place when in use and lowered out of the way when not in use. 